When I started my journey as a computer science major, the memory from the past that enchanted me the most was the memory of creating animations on “Scratch.” Two things sprang up out of that fascination: first, a youthful obsession with video games and watching in wonder as simple commands led to an interactive cartoon; the latter would land me a career in programming. This passion, however, propelled me into stressing the curriculum in constant search of challenges and solutions despite my shyness.
Yet high school was something else that had to be won. My attempt to code was comprised of my academic environment and the need to comply with social norms. I lost myself desperately seeking to conform to imposed external criteria at the cost of my bona fide interests, which led me far from my nature.
The most exciting year for me occurred in 2019, during the protests in Hong Kong when the citizens were fighting for democratic changes. Despite my effort to be as much of a student leader as possible, recognizing the reality of my not being so influential was distressing. This powerlessness was additionally muted by the financial challenges that my family had had to go through during the pandemic, and eventually, with an immense hope of achieving a new beginning, we fled to the United States. The transition, marked by cultural adjustments and challenges with racism, was far from easy, yet it underscored the imperative to ensure stability and support for my family.
Pursuing personal and financial stability, I worked at the level of two jobs, held two significant academic responsibilities, and made some effort to broaden my social circles. In this light, while I tried to make these efforts about my career path, I was still determining whether there was guidance like what I would have had back in Hong Kong.
My perception changed dramatically due to an article that I came across on Amazon’s AI hiring tool and its discriminatory practices (Goodman, 2023). This discovery rekindled my love for computer science, coupled with my experiences as an immigrant and witnessing the struggles of others within unjust systems. Suddenly, I realized that technology, however developed, relies upon our lives perfectly and, in some cases, can enhance biases and disparities.
Social issues are also a growing concern in education because, to make a second-class observation in solving social issues through a ‘Race in the United States’ class attached to Bellevue College, I realized that there are evident systemic inadequacies between the competence package on a race basis. This educational activity further strengthened my commitment to exploring the world of algorithms to discover why those biases that cause injustice exist and how I can fix them. My ambition is not limited to mastering the technical details of computer science alone but also to using such knowledge to promote an equitable society.
My decision to choose Bellevue College as a first-generation college student was purposeful for meeting my degree goal and, later, continuing education at the University of Washington. This trail stands not only as an individual one way but also as one of the parts of preserving the world without prejudice and making positive changes with the help of technology.
Ultimately, my path from an amateur toy tester playing with computer programs to a degree-holding technology enthusiast reveals a growing perception of technology in society. As a move from personal experiences I have encountered as an immigrant, the hurdles and knowledge that this has brought to me, coupled with my academic and personal experiences, have made me more set on resolving algorithmic bias. To achieve my objective, I have decided to advance my education and career in this field to be at the front line of eliminating and becoming an equalizer in our society, where technology should be an enabler.
References
Goodman, R. (2023, February 27). Why Amazon’s automated hiring tool discriminated against women | ACLU. American Civil Liberties Union. https://www.aclu.org/news/womens-rights/why-amazons-automated-hiring-tool-discriminated-against
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